June 15, 2012

Preparing To Be Out Of Commission

Yesterday was my appointment down at the University of Virginia for my achilles tendons. Before this appointment I had already been working with another orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist and was supposed to have had the surgery done in May.

Thanks to the physical therapist I had, she suggested I get a second opinion from an orthopaedic specialist for the foot and ankle. I am so glad I took her advice and canceled the last appointment I had with the one close to home and waited to meet this other doctor.

The office itself was very professional and took the time to explain EVERYTHING, were friendly, and made me feel confident in what they were doing. Not so much at the other place I went.
We drove down to Charlottesville early yesterday morning (left at 5am and got there at 7:15am for my 8am appointment).
I had new xrays done (standing up as opposed to the very uncomfortable xrays I had previously). The Nurse who took my health history was nice, funny and caring. The medical student took my entire history of the problem (the other office didn't even bother to ask) and the Doctor was confident in his work and that I would be an excellent candidate for surgery. Something he doesn't normally suggest for a patient he's just met, but since I have 'failed' at all other methods of treatment, there pretty much isn't anything else to do BUT surgery.

So, I will be out of commission for most things for 6 weeks after August 21. Non-weight bearing on my left achilles.
I have never been so happy to be put under and cut open! lol
They essentially are going to remove 3cm of tendon and reattach the stretched tendon down and saw off parts of my heel bone. I know, sounds gross, but I am so excited to not be in chronic pain in at least one foot any longer.
So that pretty much was the day yesterday as I only got 2 hours of sleep before leaving for Charlottesville, I came home and slept.
Can't say we've had perfect 'no spend' days, but they have been 'low spend' days, which is better than what we had been doing :)
Hope you all have a great weekend!